Students may develop an individualized graduate program with approved selection of courses in family services, consumer studies, textiles and nutrition. Applicants who have not completed a baccalaureate family and consumer sciences program will be expected to satisfy undergraduate deficiency course requirements in addition to their graduate course requirements. Potential undergraduate deficiency courses are FCS 1800 Life Span Human Development, FCS 2100 Nutrition in a Global Society and FCS 3300 Consumer Education or their approved equivalencies. The graduate coordinator and graduate admissions committee will identify any undergraduate deficits at the time the admission decision is made.

FCS 5901 Statistical Analysis in Family and Consumer Sciences (3); and

FCS 5460 Issues and Trends (3)

*Electives approved by student's graduate committee (21-23)

Traditional and non-traditional student schedules are accommodated through a variety of formats. Scheduling of classes includes many evening, intensive summer, weekend, off-campus and Internet-delivered courses. http://www.eiu.edu/~adulted/schedule/

Graduate assistantships are offered each year in teaching; textiles, foods and child development laboratories; Nutrition Education Resource and Referral; student organization management; Child Care Resource and Referral; and general support for the School of Family and Consumer Sciences. The weekly work obligation is 18-19 hours. Applications for graduate assistantships are due to the graduate coordinator by February 15 or the following business day. Informational packet for completing the graduate assistantship application process is linked below. Materials are sent to

How do I apply to Graduate School? Candidates applying for admission to the Ms in FCS Graduate Program must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution at the time of application and earned an overall GPA of 2.75* or higher (or a 3.0 in the last 60 hours of graded coursework). To apply, candidates must submit an application for admission to the University through the EIU Graduate School's online application website (https://cashnetadmissionsp.eiu.edu/pls/PROD/bwskalog.P_DispLoginNon). If this is your first time applying, just click on the link for "First time user account creation" to create your account to apply. See the list of additional application materials (see below) that must be submitted directly to the School of Family and Consumer Sciences MS in FCS Graduate Program (email to the Graduate coordinator, Dr. Lisa Taylor, lmtaylor@eiu.edu), for. Review of applications begins September 15 for spring admission and February 15 for summer/fall admission.

Additional application materials include:

A one-page letter of intent, including the candidate's goals and how the EIU Ms in FCS graduate program would help them achieve those goals.

A one-page current resume or vita

Two letters of recommendation (prepared within the past year) from persons acquainted with the candidate's academic ability and/or professional competency.

In addition, candidates may be required to participate in an interview and/or complete undergraduate preparatory courses in Family and Consumer Sciences.

Is a thesis required? No, but encouraged if it matches your professional goals.

How long will it take to complete the degree requirements? The timing depends on the student's flexibility and availability. Program planning is in consultation with and approval of the assigned academic advisor and committee. The program may potentially be completed in one calendar year consisting of fall, spring and summer.

Where are M.S. in FCS graduates employed? Our graduates are employed in not-for-profit and private organizations, government agencies, businesses, and educational institutions in direct services, education, research, and administration. http://www.eiu.edu/famsci/careers.php

Are there networking opportunities? Student organizations include Kappa Omicron Nu, which has won several awards and SAFCS (Student Association of Family and Consumer Sciences), which is the largest student section in the nation. There are opportunities to attend professional conferences such as IAFCS (Illinois Association of Family and Consumer Sciences) http://www.castonline.ilstu.edu/iafcs ICFR (Illinois Council on Family Relations at National Council on Family Relations) http://www.ncfr.org/member/asso_council.asp and WIM. The WIM conference with participation from FCS university programs from seven Midwestern states is held in Chicago each February and provides leadership opportunities, professional tours, information about internship sites, networking and job opportunities. Graduate students have been recruited in the past to make presentations and judge entries at the Illinois Association of FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) http://www.fcclainc.org Region 6 Leadership Conferences.

How can I obtain secondary teacher certification for family and consumer sciences? If you have completed a bachelor's degree contact the College of Education and Professional Studies at (217) 581-2524 to arrange a transcript evaluation for Illinois state teacher certification requirements.

Are FCS graduate courses appropriate for my teacher re-certification plan? Yes, if the selected courses fit into the content area identified by the certifying body. Verify specific FCS courses with your credentialing entity.

Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, a community of 20,000 in east central Illinois, 185 miles south of Chicago and 130 miles east of St. Louis.

Eastern is a residential university of largely full-time students.

Approximately 10,000 students from nearly all Illinois counties, most of the continental states, and about 25 foreign countries enjoy an attractive, compact 320-acre campus with a full range of extracurricular activities.

The University offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs and develops broadly educated, responsible, productive citizens prepared to serve and lead in a free society.

Faculty and staff consider students their prime responsibility and treat them as individuals in a caring environment.

Come and visit us in Charleston, Illinois.

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For more information or an appointment to discuss your interests in our program, contact:

In accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, no individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of the University. Further, no qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of the University or be subjected to discrimination by the University.